Coprastasophobia | Fear of Constipation

(ko-pra-sta-sow-fow-be-ah)

What is Coprastasophobia?

Coprastasophobia, also spelled “Coprostasophobia”, is the irrational fear of constipation. Sufferers have been known to take numerous laxatives, leading to other health problems. They may also seek out high colonics, enemas, etc., to avoid bloating or weight gain.

Causes of Coprastasophobia

Coprastasophobia can be the result of an existing medical condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Associated eating disorders such as bulimia can also contribute to development of the phobia. Certain addictions can exacerbate the fear of constipation; heroin addicts, for instance, often suffer from intense and persistent constipation, and may then be at risk of developing this phobia.

Coprastasophobia is a specific (or “isolated”) phobia, centered on non-social key factors. Such phobias tend to have some previous trauma (often in childhood and often physically injurious) as a root cause; a fear of bees may stem from an injury in childhood, for instance.

Upbringing can also play a role, such as parental warnings about a direct threat (such as “snakes can bite and kill you”) which is especially notable in cases where a threat is more imminent. (An allergy to bees or peanut butter, for instance, would naturally reinforce a real medical concern.)

is thought that genetics and hereditary factors may play a role in specific phobias, especially those related to a danger of injury. (A primal “fight or flight” reflex may be more easily triggered in those with a genetic predisposition, for instance.)

By contrast, social phobias (like a fear of body odor or touch) are less well-understood, are driven by social anxiety, and are broadly labeled as “social anxiety disorder”.

In all kinds of phobias, external experiences and / or reports can further reinforce or develop the fear, such as seeing a family member or friend who is affected. In extreme cases, indirect exposures can be as remote as overhearing a reference in conversation, seeing something in the news, on TV, or in the movies.

Coprastasophobia, like most phobias, stems from a subconscious overprotection mechanism, and as with many phobias can also be rooted in an unresolved emotional conflict.

Posts That Mention Coprastasophobia

Jon Snow: Knower of Nothing. Bastard of the North (but not really). Patron Saint of Sad-Looking People Everywhere. Now, obviously everyone related to Ned Stark is either painfully unlucky or dead. Every Stark has suffered from so many traumatic experiences that it’s honestly surprising they can still string a sentence together. But Jon is in […]